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Saturday, May 6, 2017

Serendipity and the Party that Followed ~ Guest Post by Lisa Dobry with Awesome Art from StencilClub Members

We have a special treat on the blog today courtesy of a few on pour StencilClub members. We are thrilled and grateful they are sharing. Look what happens when you trade art beginnings with a friend!

Lisa Dobry, base ~ Jill McDowell, morph

Hello from Lisa Dobry!

As a StencilGirl Club member, I am always thrilled and
delighted when a Party comes together. Our Club Party came into being about a
year ago after I posted on the StencilClub Facebook page, that I was so excited
to have won a Layered Peonies stencil by Jessica Sporn. My club friend Elise,
responded, “I have that stencil too!” which was followed by a few more friends,
and with that the Party Call was started.

Recently, at the end of
February, something unexpected transpired; I created a tag using the February
2017 Mandalas, Circles and Spheres StencilClub collection by Maria McGuire and
posted it to the Club Facebook page commenting, “I held such high hopes for
this piece, but then it just went the wrong direction, sigh…” Minutes
later my artsy friend Elise commented, “I love it; send it to me!” Shaking my
head in disbelief, I responded back, “LOL! It’s yours; I’ll put it in the mail
tomorrow.”

From that simple
interaction, discussions started flowing and our March Party Call became, “This
doesn’t speak to me; can you make it your own?” Club friends began
posting random, unfinished, not quite right, or missing something, pieces of
art for other friends to claim by replying, “That speaks to me.” After which
the piece was dropped in the mail, set to inspire in a whole new way.

Lisa Dobry, base ~ Jill McDowell, morph

I believe creating art is a
process, a journey, rather than a destination. I also believe art is very
personal, as it comes from within. It’s reflective of our experiences, and in
general how we move about the world. Of course, our style and skills develop
over time with practice, exposure and exploration, but there consistently
remains a sense of “heart” of “self” in one’s work; a signature style. So, when
a creative collaboration like our March Party Call comes together, wonderful
things show up. The response and momentum created by this simple conversation
was both unexpected and powerful. The March Party Call was not just about the
beautiful art that was created. There was something deeper, more soulful that
took place as connections of many hearts and selves authentically intermingled.

Lisa Dobry, base ~ Jill McDowell, morph

Creating with other’s art
invoked varying emotions. Some shared that they loved the idea of not starting
on a blank canvas or expressed they loved getting actual mail and “enjoyed
collaborating with others whose work they admired.” In contrast, others openly
admitted the process was intimidating, challenging, and feared they’d mess up
someone else’s work and experienced a lot of stress. However, when the morphed
pieces began posting, I was truly blown away with the diversity of talent and
vision. Their journey path was different than mine; their eyes saw things I
hadn’t and there was such variance of artistic styles. I repeatedly
thought, “Wow! I would never have thought to do that!” I also recognized what
an amazing gift we were just given by everyone who jumped into the party and
shared themselves.

Sometimes fabulous
things transpire without real intention; serendipity indeed. I hope you find joy, wonderment and
inspiration in the body of work shown below. Party on StencilGirl lovers!